by Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY

by Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY

LOS ANGELES - Leatherface has chainsawed The Hobbit off his box-office perch.

The latest sequel in the bloody film series, Texas Chainsaw Massacre 3-D, reaped $23 million in its first weekend, according to studio estimates, knocking the prequel to the Lord of the Rings trilogy down to third place with $17.5 million in its fourth week.

"Nobody expected Texas Chainsaw" to reach the top, says Paul Dergarabedian of Hollywood.com. "And we were foolish not to. These horror movies do really well, and this is one of the biggest brands. Young moviegoers clearly wanted a scare to start the new year, (and) nothing says Happy New Year's like a leather mask and a chain saw."

Django Unchained came in second with $20.1 million, and a two-week total of $106.4 million. The Hobbit has rolled up $263.8 million in the USA and about $800 million worldwide since its release Dec. 14.

Overall business this weekend came in at $149 million, up 7% from the same period last year. But with strong business on New Year's Day, Hollywood already has raked in $254.2 million, 33% ahead of last year. "It's clear we are keeping the box office momentum from last year," Dergarabedian says.

Les Miserables was fourth with $16.1 million and a total of $103.6 million in two weeks. Parental Guidance was fifth with $10.1 million.

Chainsaw is "one of those that survives each generation. It's something that continues to come back and entertain its audience," said Richie Fay, head of distribution for studio Lionsgate. And it drew a hefty 84% of its business from 3-D screenings.

In narrower release, Matt Damon drama Promised Land had a slow start in its nationwide debut, coming in at No. 10 with $4.3 million after opening in limited release a week earlier.